War does not build. Peace does

On 28–29 October, Moscow will host the Third Russia–Africa Summit.

It takes place at a time when far too many people live in the shadow of war, and I would like to share a conviction that my own life has taught me: war does not build. It feeds the arms industry, but it does not build human beings, societies or nations. Peace does.

I was once South Africa’s Minister of Defence, and I was shocked to discover that some countries spend a greater share of their revenues on buying weapons than on feeding children who need to grow up and go to school. Nobody prospers from war except the arms industry.

That is why I am so proud to serve on the jury of the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize. Tolstoy was convinced that violence solves nothing and that the true strength of peoples lies in humanity and the ability to reach agreement.

It is no coincidence that Mahatma Gandhi, who developed his philosophy of non-violence in South Africa, named his farm near Johannesburg Tolstoy Farm. Established in 2022, the Prize honours those who demonstrate their commitment to peace through deeds, and our jury, which brings together representatives of different countries and continents, embodies the idea that peace cannot be defined from a single centre.

In 2024, the African Union became the Prize’s first laureate, and this year it was awarded to the leader of Vietnam, To Lam, whose people have endured much grief and many wars. I was proud to take part in that vote.

We invited the Chairperson of the African Union Commission to Moscow to receive the award. He spoke in French and, I confess, I understood nothing until I heard the interpretation – a small reminder that on our continent we still speak the languages of those who colonised us.

Many of Africa’s wars stem not from its peoples but from the history of colonisers and colonies. I speak of Russia with personal gratitude. When we fled oppression, the people of the Soviet Union took us in: they gave us education, medical care, the knowledge to defend ourselves and political ideas that made sense to us – and asked for nothing in return.

I received help myself precisely when I needed it most. I know of no other country outside Africa that has done more for our development. South Africa is my first home; Russia is my second. Such friendship endures across generations.

Today Africa is beginning to understand that war does not pay. Our continent is rich enough to develop beyond what anyone can imagine, provided it processes its resources at home and invests its money in education and healthcare.

That is why I look with hope to the Russia–Africa Summit. The main theme of the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which will be held alongside it – “Together We Develop Mutually Beneficial Cooperation and the Potential of Every African Country” – is well chosen, because peace and development are inseparable.

May gratitude turn into practical partnership in education, healthcare, science and industry. And since friendship lives in language, I would very much like Russian to be introduced into our school curricula, so that our young people can talk to one another directly.

The writer is the former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, member of the jury of the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize

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